Sir Terry Pratchett, who has died aged 66, was Britain’s best-selling novelist of the 1990s. His immaculately written, wildly imaginative brand of comic fantasy breathed new life into a largely forgotten form of humorous writing and enabled him to connect with readers not usually attracted to the science fiction and fantasy genres.

Most of his more than 70 books were set on the Discworld (a flat Earth supported by elephants on the back of a giant turtle), a creation which proved enduring and flexible enough to allow Pratchett the scope to change direction and evolve as a writer without losing touch with his core audience. Continue reading here

Children’s Books received honors from the American Library Association at their annual mid-winter meeting. THE NOISY PAINT BOX: THE COLORS AND SOUNDS OF KANDINSKY’S ABSTRACT ART written by Barb Rosenstock and illustrated by Mary Grandpre won a Caldecott Honor award, while Jenny Hubbard’s AND WE STAY received a Michael L. Printz Honor.